10 Cool Escapes From the Summer Heat

Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Not every place in the U.S. is sweating. Summer is the best time to make a trip to Alaska, where the days are long and the temperatures mild. Glacier National Park and Preserve is a 3.3-million-acre World Heritage site in the Alaskan panhandle where the season's highs generally fall between 50 and 60 degrees. Whether sea kayaking through tranquil inlets or hiking in the shadow of towering mountains, you'll soon forget the heat wave back home.

Portillo, Chile

You don't have to go north to cool off. You can also travel way south to the Southern Hemisphere, where ski season reaches its peak in July and August. About 100 miles from Santiago, Chile is Portillo, a wintery haven high in the Andes. The resort, which overlooks the pristine Lake of the Incas, is perched at 10,000 feet, and its dry powder and steep slopes attract expert skiers from around the world, including U.S. Olympians.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

During mid-winter in Zimbabwe, the weather fluctuates between 43 and 77 degrees. It's not exactly cold, but it’s a perfect time to see Victoria Falls, where the mist keeps everyone cool. In July, the waterfall, which is located on the Zambezi River between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is transitioning a low-flow state. Visitors enjoy the spectacular view, and lower water levels allow for easier kayaking and rafting.

Bariloche, Argentina

San Carlos de Bariloche is an idyllic city set on the southern coast of Nahuel Huapi Lake in Argentina's Patagonia region. In July, visitors aren't sunbathing on the lakeside town's beautiful beaches; instead, winter tourists hit the slopes. Bariloche is located in the foothills of the Andes, and this time of year, the temperature generally stays comfortably in the 40s.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Escaping the heat doesn’t necessarily mean shunning the sun. During summer in Reykjavik, days can last 20 hours. That's plenty of time to pack in all of the activities you can handle. Temperatures stay in the high 40s and 50s during July, but people keep warm swimming in the city's famous geothermal pools, which are heated by volcanic activity. 

Churchill, Canada

While the continental U.S. may be boiling, our neighbors to the north frequently offer cooler climes. Churchill, in northern Manitoba, Canada, is on the shore of Hudson Bay, and has a near subarctic climate. The chilly temperatures rise to an average of 53.6 degrees Fahrenheit in July, so summer visitors need hardly worry about freezing. Besides, you'll have bigger things to fret over. Churchill is known as the polar-bear capital of the world. Although the bears begin swimming ashore in mid-July, breathe easy knowing they don’t gather in large numbers until fall. There is another endangered mammal that does come out in full force in Churchill during the summer months: Beluga whales enter the Churchill River to feed, give birth and raise their young throughout July and August.

Melbourne, Australia

Winter in Melbourne is colder than most mainland Australian cities, but the mercury rarely drops below 42 degrees. The metropolis sees fewer tourists in chilly July than in the summer, which makes it an ideal time to visit. Admire the stunning architecture, catch an Australian football game, or stroll through Queen Victoria Market while avoiding the high-season rush.

San Francisco, California

Mark Twain once supposedly said, “The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco.” Whether or not the iconic American author actually made the remark, the words ring true. The Northern California city doesn’t heat up until September-October, and in the summer the temperatures often hover in the 50s and 60s. In July, visitors ride the trolley cars, cross the Golden Gate Bridge and explore Alcatraz without ever breaking a sweat. 

Capetown, South Africa

In July, southern right whales make their way to the waters off South Africa’s southwestern coast, providing some of the world’s best land-based whale watching. Temperatures are coldest in Cape Town during the summer, but an average low of 47 degrees is hardly unbearable. It's rainy season, so don't be surprised if you get a little wet.